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[Inanimate]

Peanutbuttershoes is not doing anything. That is why.

That's the problem with changing the system to rely on one person. 

[Noah!]

(In that case, I propose we wrap up and give this a proper end...

...a YAOI END)

[Inanimate]

(If he doesn't show up by the end of today, I will take care of it.)

[eigenbom]

(...and everyone wakes up from their nightmares, realising it was all just a dream. The End. )

[Garthy]

(OOC: People going inactive or low-response is an unfortunate reality in these sorts of games. In the TIGSTWG I ran some years back I had one player with a key ability go inactive, and it was necessary to change some things both behind the scenes and in front of the rest of the players to keep the game both balanced and running. A in-game event can be used to change and justify just about anything, particularly in a setting in which divine intervention would be a natural part of the story. If there are enough active players remaining with the right roles and a sudden dramatic change via game event would help, I'd suggest considering this as an option.)

[Inanimate]

(I'm not a guy who is quick to disciplinary action, if you can't tell. It makes me feel bad. But no worries, the show will go on! I just wanted to give him a chance to work his way back, in case he had something come up for a bit.)

[Franklins Ghost]

In God we trust

[Inanimate]

DIVINE INTERVENTION

The townsfolk chat idly in the foggy square, mist roiling in waves over the ground. The sun hides behind a thick cloud cover, and the day is dreary, the color drained from the light.

The village is concerned over their missing savior; Peanutbuttershoes has not been sighted in much time, and he normally makes an appearance by now. Many note that he'd obviously been troubled lately; his honor was more of a burden, and his duty was more of a punishment. The weight of his conscience had been pushing down on him... and the people are unsure of just how hard.

Just as some resolute villagers decide to set out on a search party, the mist breaks, and reveals Peanutbuttershoes, wading into the center of the town, his coat thick with dirt and dust, his eyes sunken and tired. He was a haggard man.

"Move," he mumbles, as he pushes through the crowd, before throwing his blade onto the ground, where it slides out of its sheath smoothly. The people stare at it in great awe and fear.

"...I was chosen," the crusader says, shrugging off his hood. His hair is unkempt, much like himself right now. "I was chosen, and my duty was hard." He looks over the people, and then turns to face the statue of the angel.

"I was once a pious man. I believed in the unwavering mercy and compassion of God, and I felt he was always at my side, giving me strength, giving me life..." He looks down, unable to bear the sight of the sculpture any longer. "I was determined to live up to his expectations, to do my God-given duty. I was to be a crusader, a Hand of God."

Peanutbuttershoes whirls to face the gathered people, who shrink back in surprise. He clenches the air, before his arms fall to his sides in despair.

"I was wrong." Tears fall to the dusted ground. "I am not wise, I am not brave, and I am not strong. I am but a man..." He falls to the ground, prostrate to the heavens. "I am but a man, burdened to judge, cursed to kill. This was not an honor."

His fist slams against the ground, in abject rage.

"You hear the name 'The Hand of God', and I know I stand by the side of him, as his trusted evangel."

PBS stands up, staring at the sword on the ground.

"I forsake the role of Hand of God. I forsake my God-given duty. I forsake this damned honor, this cursed blessing... I was never strong enough, never good enough, never holy... I am a man consigned to orders unsaid, to fates unknown..."

"But all I am is a man! And I refuse to be shackled by the chains of destiny for any longer!" PBS roars to the heavens, and then looks back at his gathered audience. "And now that I have done so, I am no longer the Hand of God. God shall grant this blade to one pure of heart, innocent and strong... better than I, in every way."

PBS turns to the statue of the angel, his back to the crowd, and throws his hood back on.

"Good luck."

The crusader walks away, and the crowd stares at the sword, which has lost its gleaming shine, now dull and blunt on the ground. The villagers look to each other.

"Uhm, now what?" Someone asks. He reaches out to the blade tentatively -- and it shines brilliantly, a roaring light that blinds many in the crowd. The villager shirks back briefly, before a sudden wave of courage pushes him to grasp the blade firmly by the hilt. It burns with the brightness of the sun -- and then dulls, its blade red-hot to the touch of any but its true owner.

"...Well. That's unexpected," Noah says, before sheathing his new blade.

--
Peanutbuttershoes is no longer the Hand of God.
Noah is the new Hand of God.

[Noah!]

It is strange that I would be chosen for this appointment. After all, if PBS considers himself nothing more than a man, then what am I in comparison? While I do try to be the best that I can be—to be as Godly as I can be—unfortunately I too still fall short just like any other man.

Nevertheless, perhaps "only a man" is what is necessary for this time. After all, the Hand has no duty but to move, and without the Head to direct it, any attempts to move itself will be futile. While I still hold utmost respect for him, perhaps PBS simply strained himself too much, by trying to be the Head he could not be...

But to execute the decisions that the Lord has placed within me; to follow the path that the Head directs for me—that much, I believe, is within my ability. And in turn, with all of you operating in your God-given abilities, and with the power of God himself inside our hearts, I am confident that we can destroy these demonic forces and reclaim the beautiful town that God has blessed us with!

[peanutbuttershoes]

(surprisingly, my fall in this narrative pretty well mirrors my life as of now. sorry guys. i'm glad you kept it going in my stead though. bowing out, toodles.)

[Inanimate]

(i'm sorry for whatever's going on in your life right now, pbs. best of wishes!

also, sad fact: is it just me, or did this development actually feel like it's been foreshadowed? totally accidental miracle that it feels so natural and not like a cop-out.)

[Franklins Ghost]

Where darkness falls, light shall always prevail and in Gods guidance we see order restored. Another steps forth and is chosen to lead this town from the evil that has begun to envelope it. Maybe now with a clear mind and hand, the killings will stop.

I pray for this town.

[Inanimate]

(In case it isn't clear, PBS is no longer in the game, both due to in-game and out-of-game circumstances, apparently.)

[Garthy]

No doubt wielding the blade is a heavy burden, and those chosen by the blade may find themselves in a position where they cannot carry its full weight and the obligations it entails. It is no doubt a difficult weight to bear. To hold it aloft even without wielding it at its full glory is still an accomplishment. I would wish PBS the best in his continuing journey. (OOC: Best of luck with whatever is presently troubling you- I hope you get through things okay)

I am very curious as to what this new development is going to mean for us all. I have spoken at length about the Hand of God and peanutbuttershoes as one, but now we find ourselves in a situation where the role has shifted, possibly changed, and the title is also now held by another. No doubt much of what I've speculated regarding the Hand may be rendered moot by these changes, whilst some things will remain pertinent. This change is going to force us all to rethink any assumptions we may have made about the role of the Hand thus far. In a way, we are starting again, and I hope that this will only be a temporary setback.

To Noah, the New Hand, I ask: What role do you see yourself playing in this town? What path will you be walking- will it be your own, with us, or similar to the path walked before? Will you work with us to determine who the demons amongst us must be- or do you feel you are driven by a divine mandate that puts you beyond our input? Can you- or will you- shed some light on the mysteries surrounding the unusual role and activities of the Hand in this town thus far?

[Noah!]

Truly I did not wish to mitigate the accomplishments of PBS. His efforts were valiant indeed, and I am sad to see him go. Rather, by what I said earlier, I meant only to say that God does not entrust us with burdens that we are unable to bear. For every trial, He equips us sufficiently.

Unfortunately, I alone do not possess what it takes to carry this burden.

However, the power I need can be found within all of you, so long as you are willing to share it with me.

Therefore, here is my role: My desire is to foster an environment of open communication within this community. Garthy, I have listened to your words in the past, and I agree with your sentiments. An environment where people are afraid to speak up, where people are unwilling to expose themselves for fear of suspicion—that is the last thing we need at this moment. So, to be straightforward, yes, my plan is to walk alongside you, communicate with you, work with you, and through this I believe we shall prevail.

Finally, as to the mysteries of my role, it entails no more than what you already know. My body is protected from evil, and it is my duty to execute the evil among us. That is all; no more, no less. If you were referring to the previous activities of our former Hand, I'm afraid that this information has been lost to me. Which is unfortunate, as such data (like the census) would have been rather useful had it been preserved. And to exacerbate the problem, I am still called to execute even today, and as of yet I have little to make an informed decision upon.